Slug casting machine



NW. 6, 1934. I A STQUGES v 1,980,110

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Fil ed June 1 9, 19:51 12 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR a ATTRNEYJ.

l 2 Sheets-Sheet '3 Filed June 19. 1931 Noy. 6, 1934. A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 19. 1931 ATTO EYS Nov. 6, 1934. A. J. srouGE's 1,980,110 I SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed June 19. 1951 12 Sheet s Sheet 5- Nqv. 6,- I934. 'A. J. STOUGES I SLUG CASTING MACHINE! Filed June 19. 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Nov. 6, 1934- A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed June 19. 1931 12 Sheets-Sht 8 INVENTOR M g,

'Nov. 6,1934.

A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE 12 Sheets- Shea 9' Filed June 19. 1931 INVENTOR ATT RNEYS W IOHLMIMIIWHKILHMWKHHHIHJ 5. W W Q 6 4 4 3 B B m 4 1934- A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed June 19. 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 IN VENT OR Nov. 6, 1934. A. J. STOUGES 1,980,110

SLUG CASTING. MACHINE Filed June 19 19:51 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 IIIVVENITOIR A TTOfiNE YS .Nov. 6, 1934.

' A. J. STOUGES 1 1,980,110

'SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed June 19. 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENi'Qk BY Z Patented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLUG CASTING MACHINE Application June 19, 1931, Serial No. 545,398

89 Claims.

This invention is directed to an improved automatic slug casting machine capable of producing type bars or slugs with characters ranging in size from /2 pt. to 144 pt., a variation which 5 will take care of all the practical requirements of the trade.

The machine is adapted to handle not only the regular linotype matrices (in order that the vast number of outstanding matrix fonts may be utilized if desired) but in addition matrices of special form which could not be handled in the regular commercial machines and which are herein intended for hand composition only. The special matrices employed include those of one size for characters ranging up to 72 pt. in height, and those of a larger size for characters ranging from 72 pt. to 144 pt.

In the use of the machine, the matrices are composed in line in a hand stick or holder which then is placed in the machine and the composed line thereafter presented automatically to the casting mechanism, which includes four molds, two of regular form to cooperate with the regular matrices, and two of special form to cooperate with the special matrices of both sizes. During each cycle of operation, a slug is cast in the selected mold, ejected therefrom, trimmed and finally stacked in a galley arranged conveniently at the front of the machine.

The several molds, each of which comprises as usual fixed body portions and adjustable cap portions, are all carried in a rotatable wheel or disc and have their inner casting surfaces (those nearer to the axis of the disc) located at the same distance therefrom, so that said casting surfaces will all stand in the same horizontal and vertical planes when the selected mold occupies the slug casting and ejecting positions, respectively. This particular arrangement is common to the commercial linotype machines and is very advantageous for reasons well understood in the art.

The characters of the regular matrix fonts are positioned as usual with reference to a datum 5 line which passes through the tops of the upper case characters (inverted), all characters throughout the various fonts growing upwardly from this line as their size increases. In casting fromsuch matrices, therefore, the composed lines irrespective of character size are supported at a common level in the casting position and the width of the mold slot is. varied to suit the particular font in use merely by adjusting the cap portion of the mold toward or from the body portion. The main disadvantage of these regular matrix fonts however is that it is impossible to mix different sizes of characters in the same line due to the top alinement.

The characters of the special matrix fonts herein employed, on the other hand, are positioned with reference to a common datum line which passes through the bases of the upper case characters (inverted), so that matrices'of different sizes may be composed in the same line and still be properly alined. Although the characters as thus designed for base alinement grow downwardly from the common datum line as their size increases, the present invention enables slugs of any selected body size to be produced from these special matrices in the customary way, i. e. through an adjustment only of the cap portions of the corresponding molds, this being accomplished by presenting the matrix lines to the molds at one or another of a series of different levels according to the size of the font in use. The customary matrix ears and mold alining ribs are dispensed with and the required horizontal alinement of the matrix characters with the mold slot (ordinarily effected by the direct engagement of the matrix ears with the mold ribs) is brought about by definitely locating both the matrix line and the mold in a truly horizontal position on a common supporting frame during the slug casting operation. Ordinarily, for faces above 14 pt., the special molds employed should preferably be of the ordinary recessed type so that the cast slugs will be comparatively light in weight and the top portions of the slugs properly supported as usual by a series of vertical reinforcing ribs.

In carrying out the invention, it is also proposed to make the special molds lower or of less depth than the regular moldsand to form the special matrices with routing notches suinciently deep to compensate for the reduced height of the molds. By so doing, as will later appear, it is possible to cast in a plain mold of one body size, say 12 pt. or 14 pt., L-shaped or overhanging slugs with characters varying in height, say from 42 pt. to 72 pt. In the case of the larger special matrices, having the '72 pt. to 144 pt. range previously mentioned, it is proposed to use them primarily in conjunction with a special mold of the recessed type'so as to produce an L-shaped or overhanging slug with a ribbed body portion (rather than with a solid body portion). The width of the overhanging top portions as well as the thickness of the body portions of these particular slugs may be Va ied to different arrangements of the type .being purely illustrative.

matter in the printing forms. For example, in casting a 120 pt. type face, the slug may have a 72 pt. body and a 48 pt. overhang, or a 48 pt. body with a 72 pt. overhang, these dimensions Furniture material required in making up the printing forms may also be cast in the low special molds either from a line of blank matrices without routing notches or from quad blocks of ordinary construction.

Various other features are included in the improved machine and will be fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, the various improvements have been shown merely in preferred form andby way of example and obviously many changes and variations may be made therein and in their mode of adaptation and still be comprised within the scope of the invention. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved machine, showing the parts in their normal position of rest;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the position of the parts immediately after the casting of the slug a Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the front part of the machine, showing the position the parts assume when the line transporter is arrested at its intermediate level during the slug ejecting operation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section, of the vice frame, line transporter and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 5 is a. plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the line'transporter slide in section;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section taken through the casting mechanism, showing a line of special matrices supported at one of the lowermost levels when producing L-shaped or overhang slugs;

Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 6, showing a line of special matrices supported .at one of the uppermost levels when producing ordinary ribbed slugs;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic face view, showing a group of matrices of several fonts supported at respectively different levels with reference to the constant line of a mold for casting ordinary ribbed slugs;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the same group of matrices supported at a lower series of levels 'with reference to the constant line of a mold for casting L-shaped or overhang slugs;

Figs. 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 8 and 9, respectively, but showing the same group of matrices properly alined for conjoint use and supported at upper and lower levels in casting relation to different types of molds;

Figs. 12 and 13 are comparative views of recessed and plain molds such as are used for producing, respectively, ribbed and overhang slugs, and showing the matrices supported at different levels in operative relation thereto;

Fig. 14 is a-vertical section through the casting mechanism, showing a line of regular twoletter matrices supported in casting relation .to a u ar mold;

Fig- 15 is a detail perspective view, showing the manner of attaching to the line transporter the auxiliary plate used for supporting the regular'matrices therein;

Fig. 16 is a detail cross-section through one end of the transporter with the auxiliary plate attached thereto;

Fig. 17 is a detail view, showing the manner of arresting the line transporter at a safety level when the machine has been adjusted to cast from regular matrices but when the stepped banking blocks for the transporter are improp-.

erly adjusted;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17, showing the manner of arresting the transporter at a safety level when the machine has been adjusted to cast from regular two-letter matrices at the auxiliary level but when the matrices are improperly composed on the upper rail in the transporter;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a horizontal section taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20;

Figs. 22 and 23 are front elevations, showing different positions of the line transporter and the mechanism controlled thereby for delivering the slugs into the galley after they are ejected from the mold;

Fig. 24 is a face view of the mold disc and the several molds carried thereby, and showing the different forms of safety members associated with the respective molds;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the two different forms of safety members associated with the regular and special molds, respectively;

Fig. 26 shows a 144 pt. matrix and a 72 pt. matrix properly alined and positioned in casting relation to a recessed mold, the latter being indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 27 is a vertical section taken on the line 27--27 of Fig. 26, the mold being shown in full lines;

Fig. 28 is a detail perspective view of the matrices and side pieces shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is a detail perspective view of that portion of a slug cast from the matrices and mold shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 30 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a ribbed slug cast in a recessed mold from two special matrices of diiferent sizes;

Fig. 31 is a detail perspective view of a portion of an overhang slug cast in a plain mold from two special matrices of different sizes;

Figs. 32, 33 and 34 are perspective views of the different matrices employed; and

Fig. 35 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a ribbed slug formed with a top portion overhanging the ribbed side of the slug and cast in 60 pt. mold from the special 72 pt. matrices.

General organization and operation of machine The disc A is rotatably mounted as usual on the fore-and-aft mold slide A and-is equipped, in the present instance, with four slotted molds, any selected one of which may be brought into use by the rotary adjustment of the disc as effected in the usual way by means of the driving pinion A As the machine is started by the engagement of the main driving clutch (not shown), the cam shaft R (Fig. 2) is rotated slowly, and the mold disc or carrier A is given a quarter turn in an anti-clockwise direction (looking from the front ofthe machine) to locate the selected mold in the casting position. The elevator or a p ter B then descends to-position a line of matrices (previously delivered thereto) in front of the active mold, where the line is justified between the clamping jaws C C mounted in the fixed vertically disposed vise frame D. The mold slide A is now moved forward to bring the active mold up against the matrix line, which thereby closes the mold slot at the front, and the metal pot E is likewise advanced from its normal position behind the disc A to bring the mouthpiece E thereof up against the back of the mold, thereby closing the mold slot at the rear. The descent of the pot plungers immediately follows, and molten metal is ejected from the pot into the mold to produce the cast slug. The pot plungers are depressed by means of a heavy pull spring E the force of which is imparted to the plungers through the rock shaft or pivot rod E and the intermediate lever E mounted on said rod. As the cycle of operation proceeds and the cam shaft R continues to revolve, the pot plungers are raised, the metal pot E and the mold slide A are caused to recede, and the disc A is given a three-quarter turn in the same direction as before to carry the mold with the contained slug to a vertical position between the ejector blade F at the rear and the trimming knives G G at the front. The mold slide A is next advanced a second time to locate the mold against the vise frame D in close relation to the knives G G whereupon the ejector blade F is thrust forwardly to eject the slug from the mold. By the forward movement of the ejector blade F, the slug is forced between the two knives, whose cutting edges trim the side faces of the slug, and the latter is subsequentlydelivered to and stacked in the galley S supported from the vise frame D by the brackets S About this time and as the cycle of operation is completed, the line transporter B and the mold disc A are restored to their original and normal positions of rest.

The vise frame D, which includes the elongated horizontal cap member D is hinged at its lower end on the pivot rod D mounted in the base frame T and is held securely at the top against suitable banking surfaces t t by the pair of clamping bolts D mounted in the cap D near the opposite ends thereof. The banking surface t is formed at the upper end of the main bracket T rising from the base frame T at one side of the machine, and the other banking surface If is formed on a lug or projection jutting forward ly from the column 'I' rising from the base frame at the opposite side of the machine.

The vise frame D is further equipped with an automatic device for stopping the operation of the machine when, for any reason, the transporter B in its descent fails to reach a predetermined casting level. This device (see Figs. 2, 3

and 4) comprises the vertically disposed control rod J, which is held resiliently in a normal position, with its upper end protruding above the vise cap D, by the spring J anchored to the frame D and tending to pull the rod upwardly. The rod J, as may be observed (Fig. 3), is sufficiently loose in its top bearing to'permit its lower end to be swung forwardly, but under normal conditions it is maintained in its vertical position by one arm of the horizontal lever J also mounted in the vise frame D. The other arm of this lever J (Fig. 1) is located in operative relation to the fore-and aft machine control rod K which is adapted when pushed'rearwardly to effect the disengagement of the driving clutch against the tension of its spring (not shown).

The forward movement of the rod J is effected by means of the spring plunger J mounted in the vise frame D and operable from the rear, when the mold disc A is advanced for the casting and ejecting operations, by one or another of the four studs a (Fig. 24) associated with the respective molds and projecting from the front face of the mold disk. The front end of the plunger J is disposed in operative relation to the lip j secured to the rod J and which is moved into and out of the path of the plunger as the rod is raised and lowered. If the rod J is depressed as the transporter B comes to rest at the proper casting level and is again depressed prior to the ejecting period, it will be unaffected by the plunger J and the cycle of operation will proceed uninterruptedly, but otherwise the lower end of the rod will be-swung forwardly by the plunger-and bring about the stoppage of the machine through the medium of the horizontal lever J and the clutch control rod K.

So far as described, the construction and mode of operation of the various parts, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or maybe the same as those embodied in the commercial linotype machines.

Line transfer devices The matrix lines (which are composed by hand and are of a given length, preferably 42 ems) are delivered (see Fig-.1). by means of a manually operated carriage 1 to the transporter B from a table 2 mounted on the column T and wherewith the transporter is adapted to register when the machine is at rest. The carriage 1 is slidably mounted in fixed horizontal guideways 3, supported on the table 2, and is operable by a handle 4 rising from one end of the carriage. The carriage also includes a pair of depending fingers 5 between which the composed lines are positioned on the table 2 and whereby a line may be shifted into and out of the transporter B as the carriage is reciprocated. In operating the parts, the carriage 1 is moved to the dotted position indicated in Fig. 1, in order to deliver a composed line of matrices from the table into the transporter B. The machine is then started manually, and after the cycle of operation has been completed, the

carriage is returned to its original position to transfer the line from the transporter back onto the table 2, the line during the cycle of operation being lowered from its position between the fingers 5 when the transporter descends preparatory to the slug casting operation, and later being repositioned between the fingers when the transporter rises after the slug casting operation.

The transfer devices above described form the subject matter of Patent No. 1,899,648, and hence no claims will be made herein on such subject matter.

The means for inaugurating each machine 'cycle (see Fig. 1) consists of a vertically disposed rock shaft 6 mounted in the main frame and provided near its upper end with an operating handle 7 arranged at a convenient level adjacent the located directly beneath the corresponding rod K v previously referred to and whichyalso controls the operation of the main driving clutch. Both rods K, K are common to the commercial linotype machines and their mode of operation is so well known to those skilled in the art that any 1 0 further explanation is unnecessary.

projecting ears y and the lower projecting ears 31 The matrices Y are provided with two superposed characters y being confined to the smaller text fonts ranging up to 14 pt., whereas the matrices Y are provided with but a single character 11 being confined to the large head-letter and display fonts ranging above 14 pt.

The special matrices X, as may be noted (Fig. 32), are of plain rectangular form, being devoid of projecting ears, and are considerably longer than the regular matrices Y, Y in order to increase (to a still greater degree than would be afforded by the mere elimination of the projecting ears) the space allotted to the characters. The characters a: of the matrices X, as shown herein, have a range up to '72 pt. and are positioned on the casting edges of the matrices, throughout the several fonts, with reference to a common datum linelocated at a given distance from the bottom edges of the matrices. In the present embodiment, (see Fig. 10), this datum line aa passes through the bases of the characters, and the bottom edges of the matrices are dressed to provide suitable alining surfaces 1: so that when the matrices are composed side by side in line and supported by their bottom edges; the characters will be properly alined at their bases irrespective of size or font. For reasons later to be pointed out, the matrices X are formed in their casting edges with transverse routing notches or recesses 2: of slightly greater than the normal depth, and the char-' acters a: are punched in the bottoms of these recesses.

Blank matrices X (Fig. 34), similar in form to the matrices X but devoid of the recesses :0

are used as spacers between 'words or in any other place in line where spacing is required.

The character matrices X and blank matrices X are also formed at their upper ends with short extensions 02 which are of reduced width so as to provide open notches x in the front edges of the matrices and corresponding notches x in the rear edges thereof.

The matrix equipment includes other special matrices Z, capable of bearing characters ranging from '72 pt. to 144 pt. These particular matrices Z may not only be used alone but are also adapted for use in conjunction with the matrices X (see Figs. 26 and 28) the characters 2 thereof being positioned throughout the several fonts. with reference to the same datum line a-a passing through the bases of the characters. Except as to length, the matrices Z are similar to the matrices X, being formed'in their casting edges with deep routing notches or recesses 2 and at their upper ends with corresponding extensions 2*. The alining surfaces of the matrices Z, however, are formed, not at their bottom edges (like the matrices X), but on the upper walls 2* of notches 2 cut in their front edges and located at the same given distance from the datum line aa. That is to say, when the matrices X and Z are properly composed in line, the walls 2 of the matrices Z are adapted to register with the bottom edges 1: of the matrices X, so that all the characters of both kinds of matrices will aline at their bases irrespective of size.

Thin dummy or blank matrices Z which are identical in form and size with the character matrices Z, although formed without the routing notches 2 are used in conjunction with the matrices Z to prevent the escape of metal from the routing notches 2 during the casting operation (see Figs. 26 and 28).

Molds and slugs As before stated; the disc A (as shown in Fig. 24) is equipped with four molds L L L and L The molds L and L? are of regular construction and of normal height or depth to cooperate with the regular matrices Y, Y in producing the common type of ribbed and plain slugs, respectively, (not shown); whereas, the molds L and L are of special construction and of slightly less than normal height or depth to cooperate with the special and more deeply recessed matrices X or Z in producing, respectively, L-shaped slugs Q having an overhanging top portion Q (as in Fig. 31), and slugs Q having top portions Q supported by reinforcing ribs Q (as in Fig. 30). The mold L may also be employed to produce ribbed slugs of the overhang type, as illustrated for example in Figs. 29 and 35, which will later be referred to.

Each of the several molds comprises a body portion L a cap portion L and a pair of intermediate liners L". The body portions L provide the inner casting surfaces or the lower side walls I of the mold slots (those closer to the axis of the disc), the cap portions L provide the outer casting surfaces or the upper side walls I of the mold slots (those farther removed from the axis of the disc), and the liners provide the end walls I of the mold slots.

The body portions L of the molds are screwed fast to the disc A, and the inner casting surfaces Z thereof are all (see Fig. 24) equidistant from the axis A of the disc, so that each will occupy the same horizontal plane as well as the same vertical plane when the molds are brought into the casting and ejecting positions, respectively. These casting surfaces 1 are coincident with the datum or constant line of the molds. The cap portions L of the molds are adjustable in the usual way by the liners L", which may be removed and replaced by others of different thicknesses, whereby the width of the mold slots may be varied as desired.

The regular mold L is representative of the so-called recessed or head-letter variety, having-a range ordinarily from 14-pt. to 36 pt., and its cap portion is formed with core sections Z spaced apart and projecting into the mold cavity. The other regular mold U is representative of the unrecessed variety, having a range below 14 pt. and being formed with plain flat inner and outer casting surfaces as shown. Both of these regular molds present front superposed alining ribs-l and intermediate grooves Z as usual, to accommodate the lower projecting ears y of the matrices Y whether supported in the transporter B at the lower or the upper level during casting. The special molds L and L are devoid of alining ribs or grooves in their front faces, which instead are made plain and flat throughout to cooperate with the special earless matrices X and Z. Otherwise, however, the special molds are similar in construction to the regular molds L and L. Thus, the cap of the mold L like the cap of the mold L is formed with core sections 1 and the cap of the mold I like the cap of the mold L is plain or unrecessed. The core sections 1 of course, are larger than the core sections 1 and the width of the mold slot is likewise proportionately greater.

The three molds L, I. and L with their individual adjustments, providefor the production of slugs with body sizes ranging from 5% pt. to '72 pt., the fourth mold L being used only for L- 5 shaped slugs whose overhanging top portions are cast in the deeper recesses r or 2 of the special matrices X or Z before described. It will, of course, be understood that such an assortment of molds is .merely illustrative and may be changed as required.

Two forms of safety members L L associated respectively with the regular and special molds, are provided to arrest the transporter B at abnormal levels and thus cause a stoppage of the machine under abnormal conditions. The pre-.

cise manner in which they function will be explained later. These members (see Figs. 24 and 25) are fastened at common or corresponding points by screws and dowel pins Z" to the disc A, but they vary in length in both directions from these points. At their bottom or inner ends, they are provided with distinguishing lips I and at their tops or outer ends with banking surfaces 1 The lips I engage in corresponding notches 1 formed in the contiguous ends of the mold bodies L and located different distances from the inner casting surfaces Z thereof according to-the size or type of the mold. The members L and L are marked in pts. to indicate the sizes of the molds with which they are associated, and they differ in form, as shown in Fig. 25, the members I.- for the regular molds being substantially of the same width throughout, and the'members L for the special molds being recessed or cut away in one of their side faces as at Z.

Alinemcnt of matrices with molds In the use ,of the regular two-letter matrices Y, the composed lines, irrespective of font, are presented to the plain or unrecessed mold L as in the commercial linotype machines, at either the normal upper level or .the normal lower level to bring one or the other of their superposed characters into proper casting relation to the mold slot; and in the use of the larger or head-letter matrices Y the composed lines, irrespective of font, are presented to the recessed mold L at the normal upper level to bring the single characters of those matrices likewise into proper casting relation to the mold slot.

On the other hand, in the use of the special matrices X, and due to the base alinement of their characters (instead of the usual top alinement as in the case of the regular matrices Y, 10,), they are presented to the special mold L or to the special mold L at one of a number of different levels according to size or font in order that the characters may register properly with the mold slot. For example, when the plain mold L is selected to produce L-shaped slugs Q (as in Fig. 31) the matrix lines of the different fonts will be supported at a series of low levels determined by the lengths of the descenders of the lower case characters (see Fig. 9) whereas, when the recessed mold L is selected to produce ribbed slugs Q with no overhang (as in Fig. 30), the matrix lines of the different fonts will be support ed at a series of higher levels determined by the heights of the upper case characters (see Fig. 8).

In the former case, the upper ends of the recesses or routing notches (see Fig. 13) register with the outer casting surface 1 of the mold L while the lower ends terminate below the inner casting surface lat a point determined by the size or height of the characters of the particular font in use, it being noted that such overlapping relation of the matrices is permitted by the plain flat extended front face of the mold body portion L In the latter case, the upper and lower ends of the routing notches 1: (see Fig. 12) register with the outer and inner casting surfaces l, 7 re-' spectively, of the mold L there being no overlapping relation in this instance.

The mold L therefore, requires no adjustment in producing the L-shaped slugs of various face sizes (although it may be adjusted to vary the body size of the slugs), while the mold L must be adjusted for the various face or body sizes by changing the liners L" as commonly practiced, unless an entirely new mold with the proper cap adjustment is substituted for the mold L as of course could be done.

As will be understood, the slugs Q cast in the mold L are self-supporting, whereas the L- shaped slugs Q cast in the mold L require the use of filler pieces or blank slugs to give support to their overhanging top portions when assembled in the printing forms.

By comparing Figs. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the difference in the length of the descenders of the lower case characters as between fonts is considerably less than the difference in height of the upper case characters as between fonts. Consequently, the upper series of levels at which the matrices are presented to the mold L and the lower series of levels at which the matrices are presented to the mold L are caused to vary accordingly.

For faces ranging from '72 pt. to 144 pt., it is proposed to employ special matrices Z solely in connection with the special mold L as illustrated inFig. 2'7, so as to cast slugs Q (as in Fig. 29) having a top portion Q supported at one side of the slug body by reinforcing ribs Q and extending beyond or overhanging the other side of the slug body. In such instance, thev matrix lines irrespective of font are presented to the mold L at the 72 pt. level, since that part of the face located on the body of the slug will always correspond to a '72 pt. font, the remaining part of the face overhanging the slug body as in the case of the slug Q. Although a 72 pt. mold may be used in casting all slugs from the various fonts of these particularmatrices Z, similar molds of selected body sizes below '72 pt. could also be used, if desired, in order that the relative widths of the slug body and overhang portion may be varied to suit different forms of type matter. In using a smaller size mold, however, the matrix lines will {1e presented tothe mold at a corresponding lower evel.

Furthermore, ribbed slugs (not shown) having a top portion or printing face extending beyond or overhanging both sides of the slugbody could also be cast from the matrices Z in a mold L say, for example, by presenting a 144 pt. matrix line at the 72 pt. level to a 60 pt. mold, the overhang in suchinstance being 12 pt. on the ribbed side and '72 pt. on the other.

It is also contemplated to cast slugs of a still different kind, as in Fig. 35, which shows a ribbed slug Q formed with a top or character bearing portion Q projecting beyond or overhanging the reinforcing ribs Q In producing such slugs, a line of matrices X of a given font, say 60 pt., is presented at the corresponding level to a mold L of smaller body size, say 48 pt. In such cases, of course, the matrix characters will extend above the outer casting surface 1 of the mold as permitted by the flat extended surface of the mold lip Z With slugs of this kind, the top portion may be cut to size between ribs and reinforced or supported by filler pieces or blank slugs throughout its length, including the end where it is cut, an advantage which would apply to ribbed slugs of all sizes and particularly to slugs of the larger sizes. a Line transporter or elevator The line transporter or elevator B which carries the composed matrix lines to and from the casting position, (see Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 'I)comprises an elongated vertically disposed body portion Bl slidably mounted in the fixed vise frame D, a top flange B which overhangs said frame, and a horizontally disposed head portion 3*, which depends from the rear edge of the flange B The head portion B wherein the matrix lines are sustained, consists of front and rear side walls B and B and an intermediate spacing block B arranged at one end of the head.

The front wall B (which, as shown, is much wider and thicker than the opposing rear wall B is provided near the bottom with a horizontal supporting ledge b, and is formed near the center with an opposed shoulder b. The lower edge I) of the rear side wall B constitutes a second shoulder in horizontal alinement with the shoulder b and as may be observed (Figs. 6 and '7), the two shoulders being located at a to fit or snugly engage in the front and rear notches 2:, a: formed in the upper ends of the matrices X and X when the latter are supported on the ledge b. In entering the transporter, therefore, said matrices will not only be sustained by means of their upper extensions 1: in an upright position on the ledge b, but will be maintained by the shoulders b and b, with their bottom alining surfaces seated upon said ledge 49 so as to insure the required vertical alinement of the matrix characters with one another. The

rear face of the wall B is flush with the rear casting edges of the matrices and consequently will fit tightly up against the flat front face of the mold or the lip portion 1 thereof.

In the case of the matrices Z and Z the composed lines, whether they be mixed with the matrices X and X or not, will be inserted endwise into the transporter B by hand. The notches 50 e in the front edges of the matrices are so located as to engage the supporting ledge b of the transporter, and the extensions a at the upper ends'jof the matrices are adapted to be confined, like those of the matrices X and X between the front and rear side walls B, B, so that the characters e of the matrices Z when supported in the I transporter will 'be vertically alined with one another or with the characters a: of the matrices X for presentation to the mold.

In adapting the machine to handle the regular linotype matrices Y andY the transporter B is equipped (as shown in Figs. 14 and 15) with a removable auxiliary back plate B", the latter be- ,7 ing detachably connected by means of a tongue 66 and groove B to the rear wall B of the transporter head B and provided at its lower edge with a horizontal sustaining ledge b. The plate B" (see Fig. 14) 'is considerably wider than the rear wall B of the transporter, so that the ledge. b thereof will be positioned, when the plate is attached, directly beneath the upper rear projecting ears 11 of the matrices Y and Y when supported on the ledge b. At one end, the plate B" is provided with a finger-hole b to facilitate N its removal from the transporter, and adjacent whose upper edge is in horizontal alinement with common-distance above the ledge b, are adapted said hole the plate. is provided with a recess 6 to cooperate with a detent b (Fig. 16), which is mounted in the head B and maintains the Plate against endwise displacement from its proper position. 3c

The transporter is further provided with a fixed horizontal bar or strip 3 mounted on the front wall B between the ledge b and shoulder b and the ledge b and is adapted tounderlie the upper front projecting cars 11 of the matrices. The bar B is formed at the bottom with a longitudinal matrix supporting ledge b and fits up against the front edges of the matrices Y. and Y to give them the required edgewise support during the casting operation. The two-letter matrices Y are supported at the lower level on the ledge b when their upper characters are selected for use, and they are supported at the higher or so-called auxiliary level. upon the ledge b when their lower characters are selected for use. The single or head-letter matrices Y having but one character, are always supported on the lower ledge b, and the same is true of the special matrices for the same reason.

In order to locate the composed matrix lines in a truly horizontal position during casting, the transporter B, as best shown in Fig. 4, is provided in the overhead flange B with two banking screws'B (instead of the single one usually employed), and these screws are arranged at the opposite edgesof the overhead flange B so as to sustain the head B of the transporter squarely, and without danger of tilting, upon the vise cap D when the transporter descends to, casting position. A third screw B is arranged between the two screws B at a point vertically alined with the vise automatic control rod J to actuate it in the regular way.

The operation of the transporter is automatic, being effected by means of a large angular lever B (Figs. 1 and 2) from a rotary edge cam R mounted on the cam shaft R. The lever B is pivoted on a fixed axis B in the base frame T below the cam shaft and is operated by an intermediate upright lever B pivoted on the same axis and provided with a roller b" which tracks upon'the cam R The shorter arm of the lever B is connected by an adjusting screw b to the lever B and the longer arm thereof extends 12.: forwardly to the front of the machine, where it is connected by a link b to the transporter B through a vertical rod B The rod B is slidably mounted near its opposite ends in alined bearings b projecting from the body portion B of the transporter, and is provided between said bearings with a compression spring b", which latter bears upwardly against a collar b on the rod and reacts against the lower bearing b The rod B is also provided with 185 a pair of adjusting nuts b arranged below the lower bearing b against which they are normally held by the spring b and by which the upward movement of the rod' is limited. v

- According to this arrangement, the transporter B is allowed to descend byits own weight to the casting position under the control of the cam R but is positively lifted therefrom by said cam to its receiving position, the nuts b during both operations maintaining their engagement with 1 the lower bearing b The cam R however, as will be noted (see Fig. 2), is provided with an auxiliary segmental track member R, which is adapted, as the transporter is arrested in its descent by the visa frame D, to engage the roller 6" of the lever B and rock the latter forwardly. This rocking motion is imparted to the lever B and the'longer arm thereof through the link b pulls the rod 3 downwardly and compresses the spring b position of the transporter B.

Transporter level determining means The means herein provided for locating the special matrices as well as the regular matrices of the various fonts in proper casting relation to the corresponding molds, include a pair of duplicate stepped banking blocks D D arranged to cooperate with the banking screws 3 of the transpbrter B. Each of said blocks (Fig. 4) is provided with an upper series of steps d and a lower series of steps (P, the individual steps of both series being spaced predetermined distances above the top surface of the vise frame D to serve different matrix fonts and molds.

The blocks D and D are carried by a long thin plate D slidably mounted, by means of retaining gibs or guideways D", upon the vise cap D and capable of adjustment to bring any selected pair of steps (1 or d beneath the banking screws B Consequently, as the transporter B descends to the casting position, the matrix line supported in the head B may be arrested at difierent levels by the steps d or d according to the adjusted position of the slide plate D The steps d of the upper series determine the levels at which the special matrices are presented to the special mold L and the steps d of the lower series determine the levels at which the special matrices are presented to the special mold L Thus, when the slide plate D is adjusted toward the right (Fig. 4) to bring the'uppermost pair of steps (1 into vertical alinement with the banking screws B the transporter will be arrested at the highest level in the position shown in Figs. '7 and 12 so as, for example, to locate the '72 pt. matrices X in casting relation to a '72 pt. recessed mold L whereas, when said plate is adjusted in the opposite direction to bring the lowermost pair of steps d into vertical alinement with the screws B the transporter will be arrested at the lowermost level shown in Figs. 6 and 13 so as, for example, to locate the '72 pt. matrices X in casting relation to a 14 pt. plain mold L The intermediate pairs of steps of series (1 or d serve in similar fashion, by the proper adjustment of the plate D to support the transporter at as many different levels for the various other matrix fonts. In Fig. 4, the various steps are marked with the sizes of the matrix fonts which they represent.

In order that the matrices Z may be used in the same line with the matrices X, the bases of their characters 2 are located with reference to the same datum line a.-a, as before stated, but due to the limited space between said datum line and the upper ends of the routing notches 2 it is proposed to limit these particular fonts to upper case characters or caps only. Hence, the steps d of the upper series selected to locate the composed lines at the proper casting level should correspond to the size of the matrices X with which the matrices Z are combined, or if the line is composed entirely of the large matrices Z, the steps d selected should correspond to the body size of the mold, unless it is desired to produce slugs (as before mentioned) having a top portion which overhangs the reinforcing ribs as in Fig. 35, in which case the procedure before outlined may be followed.

In casting from the regular two-letter matrices Y in mold L the uppermost pair of steps d (used for the 72 pt. special matrices) is adapted to serve in locating the transporter at the normal upper auxiliary level, and an extra pair of lower steps d associated with the upper series of steps d is provided to locate the transporter at the normal lower level. In this connection, it will be understood that the head-letter matrices Y (Fig. 33), having but one character, will be supported by the uppermost pair of steps 11 at the auxiliary level only. It will also be understood that whenever the transporter is arrested at the upper auxiliary level, the matrices Y and Y should be supported in the transporter on the lower ledge b.

In advertising and display work, the number of sizes of type faces required above 36 pt. is comparatively few, so that an assortment comprising the four selected sizes shown in Figs. 8 and 9, namely, 42 pt., 48 pt., 60 pt., and '72 pt., is quite suflicient to meet the demand. The blocks D and D are, therefore, provided in the upper series with but four steps d (not including the special step d and in the lower series with but four steps (F, the adjusting plate D (see Fig. 4) serving as the lowermost step of the latter series. Of course, the number could be increased ordecreased if desired to give a greater or less range in the sizes of fonts handled. No special attention is necessary with fonts between 72 pt. and 144 pt., since the upper series of steps will take care of all conditions regardless of size.

In order that the control rod J of the vise automatic may be actuated as required in any adjusted position of the blocks D D there is employed a third stepped block D carried by the plate D and provided with upper and lower series of steps d (1 and a special step d duplicating the series of steps 11, d and the special step d of the blocks D D The block D is hingedly mounted at the back in suitable bearings rising from the plate D. and normally rests at the front upon the upper end of the rod J (Fig. 4)

As the plate D is adjusted to bring any selected pair of steps of the blocks D D beneath the banking screws B of the transporter, the corresponding step of the block D will be positioned directly above the rod J, so that the third screw B in the overhead flange B of the transporter B will depress the block'D and thereby actuate the rod J, when the transporter is arrested in casting position by the banking of the screws B upon the blocks D and D The plate U (see Figs. 4 and 5) is adjusted by means of a small knob or handle D mounted on an elongated extension of the block D and the plate is held in its adjusted positions by a spring latch or detent D pivotally mounted on the vise cap D and arranged to engage in one or another of a series of notches d formed in the contiguous edge of said extension. The notches d nine in number (four for the lower series of steps d and five for the upper series of steps d, including the extra step d are spaced apart a distance equal to that between the adjacent steps and (see Fig. 5) are marked in points to correspond to the various fonts of matrices employed, being adapted when engaged with the detent D to indicate the corresponding adjustments of the banking blocks D D and'D For example, when the banking blocks are located in the adjusted position shown in Fig. 5 with the detent D engaged with the 72 pt. notch for the lower series of steps d the composed line should comprise the special 72 pt. matrices, and the special mold L should be employed in connection therewith so as to produce an L-shaped slug as in Fig. 31. If now the slide should be adjusted to bring, say, the notch marked reg. (meaning regular) for the step d opposite the detent D as. indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, the setting of the parts would involve the use of the regular matrices Y with the regular mold L the matrices being supported at the normal lower level or the normal upper level in the transporter B. In like manner, the detent D may be engaged in any one of the other notches d to accommodate a selected font of the corresponding size.

Line" clamping vice jaws and justifying devices Before the mold disc A is advanced preparatory to the casting operation and irrespective of the level at which the transporter B is arrested, the matrix line is clamped tightly between the vise jaws C C and positioned thereby endwise so as to register properly with the end walls I of the mold slot. This operation is effected by a vertical reciprocatory wedge bar M through the medium of a short horizontal slide rod against which the left-handjaw C abuts.

Therod C is mounted in fixed bearings D", D and provided between said bearings with a rigid block or collar 0*. The upper end of the bar M is positioned between the'bearings D and the block C and has an elongated slot m through which the rod C extends. The side face of the bar M opposed to the bearing D is straight or vertical, while its other face, that opposed to the block C is inclined upwardly to accord with the similarly inclined face of 'said block. As shown in Fig. 18, the block C is held resiliently engaged with the bar M by a compression spring C seated in the bearing D and serving also to hold the bar against the bearing D. The jaw C (see Fig. 5), moreover, is provided with a compression spring mounted in a block secured to the vise frame D and which holds the jaw resiliently against the rod C When the bar M is raised,'thecjaw C is forced positively thereby to the right or toward the opposing jaw C whereas when the bar is lowered, the jaw C is forced to the left or returned to its original positions by resilient means not shown.

The bar M (see Fig. 1) is operated from the cam shaft R by means of a fore-and-aft lever M which is connected to the lower end of the bar by an intermediate link M The upward movement of the bar M' (in the present instance a positive one) is limited by a stop screwm (Fig. 1), which is arranged in the vertical path of the lever M and hence the-jaw C is always moved a definite distance by the bar M so as to locate the end matrices of a properly composed line, positioned between the two clamping jaws, in registry with the end walls I of the mold slot.

If the line is of proper length, the movement of the left-hand jaw C will be i parted by the line to the right-hand jaw G which under such circumstances is adapted to yield toward the right against the tension of a spring C" which normally holds it toward the left against a fixed stop D (see Fig. 5), and which offers the resistance required for the justification of the line. In yielding, the jaw C is adapted to actuate a safety pump stop lever common to the commercial linotype machines and which when actuated permits the cycle of operation to proceed, the active mold being moved up against the matrix line and the pot plungers allowed to descend by action of the spring E hereinbefore mentioned; If the pump stop lever is not actuated by the yielding of the jaw C the casting operation cannot take place. The line clamping vise jaws and justifying devices are more fully described and claimed in my'co-pending divisional application, Serial No. 654,558, filed January 31st, 1933.

Mold locating devices As the mold approaches the composed line, a pair of studs 11 projecting'forwardly at diametrically opposite points from the face of the disc A are caused to enter corresponding sockets formed in hardened blocks D" secured to the vise frame D. The disc A and molds carried thereby are thus definitely located on the vise frame D with the side walls of the active mold horizontal and parallel to the base line of the matrices clamped between the jaws C C This latter operation insures the proper alinement of the mold slot with the matrix characters, which have already been alined with one another in the line transporter, and the latter accurately located in a truly horizontal position on the vise frame, and thus prepares the parts for the casting of the slug, which immediately follows.

When casting from the regular matrices Y and Y the pressure of the lockup or forward thrust of the active mold will be directed against the clamping jaws C C as well as against the line, but the jaws under such conditions (see Fig. 14), are properly supported by the ledge b and shoulder b of the transporter B. When casting from the special matrices X or Z, the forward thrust of the mold is taken solely by the matrix line.

Pump lever support It may be mentioned at this point that, as an additional feature of the invention, the pivot rod E for the pump lever E is extended and provided (see Fig. 2) with an outboard bearing lit rising from the upright side bracket '1' of the main frame. Such departure from the usual construction permits the spring E for actuating the pump plungers to be located immediately adjacent the pump lever E whereby the point ofapplication of its force is brought as close as possible to the point of resistance. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in the present machine, since a long tension spring of greatly increased strength is required in producing slugs of ;the exceptionally large sizes herein 1 contemplated. This feature of the invention has been made the subject of my co-pending divisional application, Serial No. 654,556, filed January 31st, 1933.

Slug ejecting and related devices 145 After the casting of the slug, the pot E and mold disc A recede and the wedge bar M is lowered, by the lever M to release the matrix line,

the left-hand jaw (2 being moved out of contact 150 

